Ever wanted to wear a latex bodysuit in the bedroom but weren't sure how your lover would take it? Fetishes are sticky subjects even for the most eloquent conversationalists, especially when it comes to letting that sweet, innocent significant other know that you want something a little kinky. Here are a few tips from Chicago sex therapist Kimberly Sharky on making your fantasies reality. DO: Tell your partner what you like in the bedroom. “Start the conversation on sex in a positive way,” Sharky says. Let your partner know how much you appreciate the way she touches you and then mention how sexy she’d look in a tiger costume. DON'T: Tell your partner they suck at sex. Telling your partner ...

Are you a dominator or a doormat? Do you fight to the death to get your way or cave under the pressure of others? Relationships sometimes are an endless tug-of-war. Take this quiz to see where you fall on the rope. You’re assigned to work on a class project with a student you don’t know. He tells you he’s got a lot on his plate so you have to take on the bulk of the workload. You… A. Say you understand and do most of the project by yourself. B. Refuse, then complain to your instructor and request a new partner. C. Tell him you won’t do his work for him but will help out if he needs assistance. Your friend is in a funk ...

Chicago is an intricate city.  Hidden in its nooks and crannies are hundreds of activities and bargains. But where do you take that special someone when you’ve exhausted your options and your checkbook? Here are three impressive dates that won’t leave you worrying your card will be declined. Second date: Action and adventure Start out skating at Millennium Park, where ice-skating is free and skate rental is $9. Worried you’re no Michelle Kwan? Falling on your butt shows you’re able to laugh at yourself, and holding onto each other for balance may bring you and your date closer together. By now you’ve probably worked up an appetite. A picnic can be both thrifty and romantic. If the weather permits, ...

What’s a hungry college student to do? Standing in the produce department, I weighed my options. I could buy one organic cucumber or three regular cucumbers for the same price. My fridge and bank account were nearly empty. What was the difference? Were a few pesticides really going to kill me? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal agency that sets national standards for organic foods, “Organic food is produced by  farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.” This means that meat, poultry and eggs come from animals raised without antibiotics or growth hormones, and produce is grown without the use ...

Need a little more than cough drops? The Columbia Health Center can help you with “minor conditions” that arise Monday through Friday, but what if your simple bug turns out to be something more serious? “While the Student Health Center provides many useful services, it does not replace health insurance,” the Columbia Student Health Center brochure states. “All students are encouraged to have insurance.” The school does offer access to health insurance through Koster Insurance Agency, but it’s not your only choice. Echo compared it to other options available to students. For a fair comparison, we looked into coverage for a nonsmoking, 21-year-old male. Costs per month would be higher for women and smokers, and differ for people in other age groups. Note that just ...

Listen up, fashion-forward bag lovers. That crick in your neck might not be caused by tension headaches or stressing that your new jeans may not be in style tomorrow. Many of today’s popular bags and purses can wreak havoc on the carrier’s back, shoulders, neck and hips, according to Dr. Richard Whitney of Whitney Chiropractors in Naperville, Ill. He sees problems ranging from numb arms to mild scoliosis caused by bags that are too heavy or simply unhealthy for the body. “They don’t realize the problems that repetitive use can cause,” Whitney says. Here are his analyses of the most popular bags on the streets. The business-friendly pull tote The bag on wheels seems like the best bet for back relief, but pulling it ...